Potholes Cause All Kinds of Damage To Your Car

By Mel Green

Many insurance policies do not cover pothole damage, so you may have to make a claim from the council yourself. Leaving you with the headache of pulling all the necessary paperwork together and writing to the council. In addition, most councils resist paying pothole damage claims, so you will have to write to them several times and even then they may not pay you. Pothole damage can cost you a lot of money as well as time and inconvenience.

It's not just your shock absorbers that can be damaged by a pot hole, if you are not careful, you can puncture or blow out your tires, or cause damage to your steering system. Often, tire rims take the brunt of a large pothole so examine them thoroughly if you hit a large dint in the road.

A deep pothole can cause a very high level of damage to the underneath of your car, including your exhaust. If you hear strange noises emanating from your exhaust system get it checked over. Also look out for fluids leaking out of your car after hitting a deep pothole. It is even possible to rupture a brake line in which case the fluids that are leaking could be brake fluid.

Try and slow down if there is no way you can avoid an oncoming pothole, if you do swerve, try and do it as safely as possible - easier said than done in the heat of the moment of course. Never press hard on the breaks as you travel over a pothole and hold the steering wheel firmly in order to maintain as much control as possible so the risk of a major accident is decreased.

If a road looks old, be aware that there may be potholes. If you do hit a pothole and suspect your car is damaged, visit a reputable mechanic and try not to drive it until it is given the all clear. Take photos of the pothole because your insurance is unlikely to cover you for pothole damage. In many cases you need to claim off of the council responsible for maintaining that road. The more evidence you have the easier it is to make a successful claim.